Denera“Claire,” she replied. “Her name was Claire, and she was the strong Luna of the Dark Lion’s pack.”My breath caught in my throat. “My mother?” Rockan breathed out, disbelief flaring in his eyes.I turned to Rockan, my own eyes wide with realization. “Granny Yeneva said I looked a lot like Lena that day,” I pointed out, my heart racing as the connections began to weave together.“Wait, wait, wait,” Rockan cut in, dismissively waving his hands. “You’re saying my mother, Claire, and her mother, Elena, were best friends?!”The revelation felt almost too good to be true, but Luna Danielle nodded, a knowing smile on her face. “Funny how those two kept wishing their kids would get mated to each other in the future. The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways,” she chuckled wholeheartedly, the lightness of her tone contrasting with the weight of the revelation.“So you knew who we were because Rockan had already introduced himself as the alpha of Dark Lion—”“Yes, yes. I’ve always known
Denera “Before it all went black, my mother screamed and pleaded from afar. She called her name—Rosa.”The room fell silent, the air thickening with the weight of my revelation. Rockan’s grip tightened around my hands, a mixture of shock and disbelief flashing across his face. “Rosa?” he whispered as if trying to process the enormity of what I had just revealed. “Your mother’s sister?”I nodded, the tears I had fought so hard to hold back now spilling down my cheeks. “She was there, Rockan. I don’t know why she did it, but I heard my mother’s cries. She was desperate… and then everything went dark.”“Why would she attack her own family?” Rockan’s voice was filled with confusion and rage, the betrayal cutting deep. “I don’t know!” I cried out, my voice breaking. “But the image of that day has haunted me for years. I thought it was just a nightmare, a figment of my imagination, but now… now it all makes sense.”Luna’s expression was one of profound concern, the gravity of the situati
Denera He was quiet for a long time, and I began to wonder if he didn’t hear me or if he simply chose to ignore my words. Either way, I decided not to bring it up again. I was willing to wait until he was ready to discuss it—after all, we were both grappling with our own demons.Then, breaking the silence like a sudden thunderclap, he asked, “Do you know why our pack is called the Dark Lion?” His voice was steady, but there was an undertone of something deeper that piqued my curiosity.I shook my head, my interest fully captured. “No, I don’t. Why?”He leaned back against the couch, his eyes drifting to the ceiling as if he were searching for the right words in the cobwebs above. “For werewolves, we were known to be surrounded by a couple of lions in our territories,” he began, his tone thoughtful. “It wasn’t just a name; it was a legacy.” I leaned in closer, eager to absorb every detail. “What do you mean?”He took a breath, his brow furrowing slightly as he gathered his thoughts.
Bruno I woke up to the dull throb of a headache, the remnants of last night’s drinking still swirling in my mind. The memories were hazy—laughter, clinking glasses, and the overwhelming haze of too much alcohol. I groaned, rolling over in bed, hoping to find some comfort in the cool sheets. Instead, I was met with the sight of Freya, my supposed girlfriend, sprawled next to me, her warm, bare skin pressing against my side.I felt irritation flare up inside me. Her hands rested on my chest, and I pushed her away with more force than I intended. “Get off me,” I demanded, my voice rough from sleep and lingering irritation.Freya stirred, frowning as she woke up. “Good morning, you didn’t have to push me,” she muttered, yawning and scratching her eyes, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her.“Well, it’s morning. Please leave my room.” My tone was curt, and I could feel my patience waning. I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries, especially not after the chaos of the previous night.“
Denera“Do you have to go?” Luna Danielle questioned, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and warmth. “You can stay a little longer and learn more.”I smiled at her, appreciating her kindness. “I will visit very often. But you know we have things to settle,” I admitted, my thoughts drifting to the responsibilities waiting for us back home.Rockan was way ahead of me, ensuring our luggage was packed and ready to go. His broad shoulders moved with purpose, and I could see the determination etched on his face. But as I watched him, a frown appeared on my forehead when I realized we were missing something.“Wait!” I heard from afar, making Luna Danielle and I turn toward the sound. A sigh escaped my mouth when I realized that the one thing I was missing was her—Adrianna.She was running toward us, her long hair flowing behind her, holding a brown bag in her hand. My stomach twisted at the thought of her being with us throughout the ride; the idea was almost too disgusting to be true.
Denera“Over there!” I heard a man yell, and my heart plummeted.“Mum,” I whispered out in desperation, hoping she’d come back to me. I clutched my legs tighter around my waist, hoping this nightmare would end, wishing we could go back to the peaceful drive, the laughter, and the warmth of my family. But then, everything froze when I heard my mother cry out. “Rosa, please, no!”…..My eyes snapped open, gasping awake as I blinked profusely, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to me like a thick fog. We were still in the car, with Rockan quietly staring ahead, the tension in the air palpable.“Are you good?” he questioned, not bothering to turn to look at me.“Yeah,” I replied with a nod, though I lied. I wasn’t good—not at all.The dream was a stark reminder of the darkness in my life, the shadows cast by Aunt Rosa and her husband, Austin. They had twisted my reality into something unrecognisable, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. I felt the familiar anger ris
Denera “Did you miss me that much?” Tyris smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. A part of me was glad to see him back home, but something about his presence right now did not settle well with me. I could see the unease mirrored in Rockan’s expression, his brow furrowed as he studied his brother.“What are you doing here, in our room?” Rockan asked, his voice steady but laced with an underlying tension. I hoped he wouldn’t choose this moment to be mischievous; we had enough on our plates without adding sibling drama.Tyris shrugged nonchalantly, strolling back and forth in our small space, his movements almost too relaxed for the gravity of the situation. “You know, Rockan, I looked up to you as my older brother,” he said, his tone mocking. “I thought you’d have a bit more sense of responsibility than to take what’s mine.”It was too early upon our arrival to have any form of argument with him. I felt a wave of frustration wash over me, wishing he would just take his lea
RockanHours had passed, and I found myself once again drowning in paperwork that demanded my immediate attention. The desk was cluttered with files, each stamped with the weight of responsibility and pressing urgency. Every pack, every territorial dispute, each one requiring my approval before a conclusion could be reached. The sheer volume felt suffocating, a mountain of bureaucracy that threatened to overwhelm me.I rubbed my eyes, fatigue creeping in like a slow tide. Each page was a reminder of the burdens I carried, and the stress began to knot in my stomach. I leaned back in my chair, glancing at the stack of documents that seemed to multiply with every passing hour. The ink blurred before my eyes, and I could feel the tension pooling in my shoulders, a tight band that constricted with every moment spent poring over the files.Another dispute over hunting grounds. Another request for more territory. A pack claiming grievances over boundary violations. I sighed, flipping throu
Denera“Your Highness,” a voice called softly, pulling me from the depths of sleep. My brows furrowed in concern, but I chose to ignore the words, hoping to drift back into my dreams. A knock on the door followed, and I groaned, forcing myself to open my eyes. “Come in,” I muttered, my voice thick with sleep.The door creaked open, and Rachel hurried inside, flanked by two other maids. My eyes widened slightly at the sight of them. “What’s going on?” I asked, my voice still heavy with drowsiness.“I can’t honestly believe you’re still in bed on a day like this,” Rachel said, her tone a mix of disbelief and urgency. She moved around the room with purpose, her hands gesturing for the other maids to follow her lead.“What do you mean by that?” I questioned, watching as they began to scurry around the room, arranging things I was yet to comprehend.Rachel turned to me, raising an eyebrow. “What are they doing?” I pointed at the other maids, who were now pulling back the curtains, letting
DeneraHe was in my arms, and it felt both surreal and grounding. This was the first time I had seen Rockan so vulnerable—raw and exposed, stripped of the mask he usually wore to shield himself from the world. The sight of him like this stirred a mix of emotions within me, and my dislike for Tyris deepened. How could he force Rockan to reveal himself in such a painful way? It felt cruel, a betrayal of the trust Rockan had placed in those closest to him.But right now, I was grateful he was here, in my embrace. For the first time, it felt like I was the one keeping him safe, the one who could shield him from the harsh realities that had shaped his life. “It’s okay,” I whispered softly, hoping my voice would be a soothing balm in the tense silence.As I looked at him, the scar that brutally marred his face caught my attention. It was a stark reminder of the things he went through, both physically and emotionally. Anyone with such a mark would typically be forced to wear a mask, hidin
Rockan“Leave,” Tyris left, making the tension even worse. She hated me. Her gaze fell to the ground, and I could see the conflict churning in her heart. “I didn’t mean to—” she began, but her voice faltered, leaving the words unspoken. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, a wave of despair crashing over me. This wasn’t how I had envisioned this moment. I had wanted to show her my true self, to share my burdens and my past, but now I feared I had only pushed her away.“Do you… do you regret it?” I asked, my voice breaking as the question hung heavy in the air. The vulnerability I had sought to embrace now felt like a curse, leaving me exposed and raw.Denera lifted her gaze, and I could see the struggle in her expression, the way her heart fought against the fear. “No,” she finally said, her voice shaking. “I knew but I didn’t want it to be like this. This tension.”I nodded, my heart aching with the weight of her words. “I understand,” I whispered, feeling the gulf betwe
Rockan “How in the world do you fall in love with someone you haven’t even seen?!” Tyris yelled, his voice piercing through the quiet of the corridor.“Tyris!” I snapped, stepping out from the shadows where I had been hiding, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and disbelief.“Great, speak of the devil,” he shot back, rolling his eyes as if my presence was nothing more than a nuisance.“What do you think you’re doing?” I glared at him, my fists clenching at my sides. The tension crackled in the air between us, thick and suffocating. Instead of backing down, he merely scoffed, his arrogance pushing me closer to the edge.“I’m trying to open her eyes to what she doesn’t see and understand,” he retorted, his tone condescending. “I know you, brother, better than anyone else. Let this girl go. Drop the stupid ego of yours.”His words ignited a fire within me, fueling my anger. “I thought you came back with a change of heart. What in the world are you talking about now?” I frowned, strug
RockanHours had passed, and I found myself once again drowning in paperwork that demanded my immediate attention. The desk was cluttered with files, each stamped with the weight of responsibility and pressing urgency. Every pack, every territorial dispute, each one requiring my approval before a conclusion could be reached. The sheer volume felt suffocating, a mountain of bureaucracy that threatened to overwhelm me.I rubbed my eyes, fatigue creeping in like a slow tide. Each page was a reminder of the burdens I carried, and the stress began to knot in my stomach. I leaned back in my chair, glancing at the stack of documents that seemed to multiply with every passing hour. The ink blurred before my eyes, and I could feel the tension pooling in my shoulders, a tight band that constricted with every moment spent poring over the files.Another dispute over hunting grounds. Another request for more territory. A pack claiming grievances over boundary violations. I sighed, flipping throu
Denera “Did you miss me that much?” Tyris smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. A part of me was glad to see him back home, but something about his presence right now did not settle well with me. I could see the unease mirrored in Rockan’s expression, his brow furrowed as he studied his brother.“What are you doing here, in our room?” Rockan asked, his voice steady but laced with an underlying tension. I hoped he wouldn’t choose this moment to be mischievous; we had enough on our plates without adding sibling drama.Tyris shrugged nonchalantly, strolling back and forth in our small space, his movements almost too relaxed for the gravity of the situation. “You know, Rockan, I looked up to you as my older brother,” he said, his tone mocking. “I thought you’d have a bit more sense of responsibility than to take what’s mine.”It was too early upon our arrival to have any form of argument with him. I felt a wave of frustration wash over me, wishing he would just take his lea
Denera“Over there!” I heard a man yell, and my heart plummeted.“Mum,” I whispered out in desperation, hoping she’d come back to me. I clutched my legs tighter around my waist, hoping this nightmare would end, wishing we could go back to the peaceful drive, the laughter, and the warmth of my family. But then, everything froze when I heard my mother cry out. “Rosa, please, no!”…..My eyes snapped open, gasping awake as I blinked profusely, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to me like a thick fog. We were still in the car, with Rockan quietly staring ahead, the tension in the air palpable.“Are you good?” he questioned, not bothering to turn to look at me.“Yeah,” I replied with a nod, though I lied. I wasn’t good—not at all.The dream was a stark reminder of the darkness in my life, the shadows cast by Aunt Rosa and her husband, Austin. They had twisted my reality into something unrecognisable, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. I felt the familiar anger ris
Denera“Do you have to go?” Luna Danielle questioned, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and warmth. “You can stay a little longer and learn more.”I smiled at her, appreciating her kindness. “I will visit very often. But you know we have things to settle,” I admitted, my thoughts drifting to the responsibilities waiting for us back home.Rockan was way ahead of me, ensuring our luggage was packed and ready to go. His broad shoulders moved with purpose, and I could see the determination etched on his face. But as I watched him, a frown appeared on my forehead when I realized we were missing something.“Wait!” I heard from afar, making Luna Danielle and I turn toward the sound. A sigh escaped my mouth when I realized that the one thing I was missing was her—Adrianna.She was running toward us, her long hair flowing behind her, holding a brown bag in her hand. My stomach twisted at the thought of her being with us throughout the ride; the idea was almost too disgusting to be true.
Bruno I woke up to the dull throb of a headache, the remnants of last night’s drinking still swirling in my mind. The memories were hazy—laughter, clinking glasses, and the overwhelming haze of too much alcohol. I groaned, rolling over in bed, hoping to find some comfort in the cool sheets. Instead, I was met with the sight of Freya, my supposed girlfriend, sprawled next to me, her warm, bare skin pressing against my side.I felt irritation flare up inside me. Her hands rested on my chest, and I pushed her away with more force than I intended. “Get off me,” I demanded, my voice rough from sleep and lingering irritation.Freya stirred, frowning as she woke up. “Good morning, you didn’t have to push me,” she muttered, yawning and scratching her eyes, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her.“Well, it’s morning. Please leave my room.” My tone was curt, and I could feel my patience waning. I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries, especially not after the chaos of the previous night.“